If December had a soundtrack, mine would be set at allegro. Advent always arrives gently on the church calendar, but in real life it tends to come with a very full to do list and this year was no exception.

The days were packed with preschool teaching, doing my best to make the Advent season meaningful and memorable for my students. There were Christmas concerts to play, rehearsals to attend, and that familiar pressure to be present and prepared everywhere at once. At home, every ornament needed to be placed just so because somehow that feels like part of honoring the season. Gifts were purchased, cards were written and mailed, and my list expanded as it always does, this year with the added blessing of including the pastors, staff, and students of Bethlehem Lutheran.

Then there was real life. A sick child. A sick husband. Both arriving right on cue the week before Christmas.

Still, the calendar marched on. I hosted my annual Bunco Babes Christmas Party, put together gift bags for the Zion school and church staff, and prepared to host Christmas dinner for our parents. And that’s only the highlight reel… the list truly goes on and on. I know most of you reading this are nodding along. You get it. Advent can be holy and exhausting.

In the midst of all that doing, I found myself wondering: Is this how Jesus wants us to celebrate His birthday? With stress? With rushing? With checking boxes?

I don’t think so.

So this year, even as I did get it all done (with a little stress, if I’m being honest), I prayed intentionally for the Advent gifts of peace and joy. And something shifted. I asked for help. I gave myself grace when things weren’t done exactly as they always are. I let go of the idea that everything had to be perfect. And in doing so, some of that familiar holiday overwhelm loosened its grip and I had one of the busiest but the most joyous Advent seasons ever!

Taking on a long-term preschool position for a dear teacher friend on medical leave meant many people were praying for me this season. And wow!!! I felt those prayers. Truly. It was as if I was given the strength of Wonder Woman and the energy of the Energizer Bunny, not to glorify busyness, but to serve others with joy and endurance. To those of you who prayed for me; thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am deeply grateful.

On Christmas Eve, as I sang with my treble choir at church, the message of the song wrapped itself around everything this season had been… busy, beautiful, imperfect, and grace-filled. The reminder that in the midst of the noise, the sickness, the schedules, and the preparations, Christ is born… and all is well.

This Christmas will stand out for me. Not because it was flawless, but because it was faithful. After all the preparing and the franticness that so often accompanies the season, my heart can rest in this simple truth, there is peace in the middle of the miracle.

All is well.

Click on the link and hear my choir sing the song, All is Well on Christmas Eve. It’s at 55:18 but consider listening to the entire service, the scriptures, the powerful sermon, join in the liturgy, the traditional hymns, and the children’s sermon presented by The Noteworthy Mommy.

https://youtu.be/MIwpvs3EZ9A?si=QEmBZMWwORonosd2

“All Is Well”

by Michael W. Smith

All is well all is well

Angels and men rejoice

For tonight darkness fell

Into the dawn of love′s light

Sing A-le

Sing Alleluia

All is well all is well

Let there be peace on earth

Christ is come go and tell

That He is in the manger

Sing A-le

Sing Alleluia

All is well all is well

Lift up your voice and sing

Born is now Emmanuel

Born is our Lord and Savior

Sing Alleluia

Sing Alleluia

All is well